‘Britney’ Movie Updates: Two-Hour Biographical TV Film for International Pop Star Britney Spears in the Works at Lifetime, Natasha Bassett to Star

‘Britney’ is Lifetime’s upcoming two-hour television film featuring the life of international pop star Britney Spears. Natasha Bassett of ‘Hail! Caesar’ fame is set to portray Spears in the upcoming film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new television film is in the works at Lifetime featuring the life and times of American singer, dancer and actress Britney Spears. It was reported that Natasha Bassett is set to play the titular pop star in what Lifetime described as a "tumultuous true story" of her rise to fame, downfall, and victorious return to the music industry.

Basett began her acting career in theater before she landed a stint in the MTV film ‘Dungoona’. She then appeared in several Australian television series including ‘Wild Boys’, ‘Cops LAC’, and ‘Rake’ while still in school. She then appeared on the 2012 PJ Hogan film ‘Mental’, where she worked alongside Toni Colette, Live Schreiber, and Anthony Lapaglia.

She eventually moved to Los Angeles to star in the NBC television series ‘Camp’. She rose to international fame for her role on Ethan and Joel Coen’s comedy film ‘Hail! Caesar’ starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, and Alden Ehrenreich.

According to Rolling Stone, the upcoming television biopic will be a two-hour film chronicling Spears’ early career as a young performer in Louisiana as well as her famous relationships with then-NSYNC member and The New Mickey Mouse Club alum Justin Timberlake as well as estranged husband Kevin Federline. It will also follow the story of her personal struggles and her publicized break down as well as her journey to rebuilding her career in the entertainment industry.

The movie is currently under the working title ‘Britney’ and is scheduled to begin production in Vancouver, Canada on September 19.  It will be will be directed by Leslie Libman with a script written by Anne-Marie Hess. It will be produced by Asylum Entertainment.

Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch and Joan Harrison will be executive producing. Spears herself is reportedly not directly involved and affiliated in Lifetime’s production. A representative for Spears reportedly told Us Weekly after the film’s announcement, "Britney Spears will not be contributing in any way, shape or form to the Lifetime biopic, nor does it have her blessing." 

‘Britney’ is an upcoming television biopic to premiere on Lifetime. It is scheduled to be released sometime in 2017.